In 2021, Hunter Region Landcare began working collaboratively on a number of cultural projects and programs to help them better understand Aboriginal culture in the Hunter region past and present, and to see how they could incorporate this knowledge into their everyday Landcare operations.
By hosting workshops and field days, they found that it would provide them with practical knowledge and skills about places and artefacts of significance that may be find on Landcare sites or farm property. Topics such as how to recognise artefacts such as stone tools by participating in a stone napping activity; what to do if we do find an artefact such as a scar tree, stone tools, middens, etc; the legislation around places and objects of cultural significance were covered with all participants helping grow local knowledge about the significance.
“It was important for us to share, learn, and understand our Aboriginal cultural heritage within the Landcare community, and these workshop provided a way to get started. We had 30 participants in our first workshop field day.”
“Landcarers and farmers that we work with share a genuine interest and passion in caring for our land, rivers, sea and sky, caring for country, so already we have a shared bond with our local Aboriginal community,” says HRLN representative.
The workshop is funded under the “Working Together” Program which aims to increase opportunities to consciously develop stronger connections and partnerships between Landcare groups and Aboriginal Communities.
The “Working Together” Aboriginal Communities Engagement Program is an initiative made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration of Local Land Services NSW and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by the NSW Government.
This story was originally published as a report via the NSW Landcare Program Website – NSW Landcare Gateway. To view click here
From the northern rainforests of Gumbaynggirr Country to the open plains and rocky ranges of the Wiljali, stretching across the largest Country in NSW, the Wiradjuri, and up to the alpine landscapes of the Maneroo, the original Landcarers have been working with Country and on country for millennia.
Across NSW, traditional and new Landcarers have been coming together to celebrate, heal and work on local landscapes through funding from the NSW Landcare Program’s Working Together Program.
In the Upper Snowy Landcare region and Maneroo Country, the local Landcare community have been busy building stronger connections with the local Aboriginal community networks.
“We recently held a two-day on-country theory and show and tell workshop which helped bring adults and children together and aimed to develop an understanding of Maneroo country, its people, practices, perspectives, special sites and artefacts,” said Upper Snowy Landcare Network Local Landcare Coordinator, Lauren Van Dyke.
Upper Snowy Landcare Network workshop
“The Upper Snowy Landcare Network recently commenced a lease on a significant part of the Gegezerick Travelling Stock Reserve – a grassy woodland overlooking the Monaro Plains and the little village of Berridale. While we were aware of the Aboriginal significance of this place (with anecdotal stories) we were informed during this workshop of its purpose as a traditional training ground.”
“Led by Aboriginal cultural heritage expert’s Aboriginal elders, Glen Morris, Chris (Snappy) Griffiths and Graham Moore, the knowledge that the Gegegedzerick Hill being a training ground for young indigenous people was welcome news indeed. Especially as on the second day we had more than 40 school children join in from the Trakz Program – an established program consisting of activities and experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Cooma to learn about cultural beliefs and practices on Country.
“The event helped us all begin to understand the land from an Aboriginal perspective and the key information gathered will assist in the future management of the Landcare site. Opportunities to build and strengthen the connection with local people and the local landscape is at the core of what ‘Landcare’ is”, Lauren said.
Upper Snowy Region ‘Working Together’ Workshop
Up in Gumbaynggirr country, North Coast Regional Landcare Network held a three-day event that included developing and exploring cultural knowledge within the region, and ways to move forward in line with the work Traditional Custodians have been undertaking for generations.
North Coast Regional Landcare Coordinator Josh Keating said the event and outcomes were a chance to identify opportunities to initiate and strengthen ties between the local Landcare community and Aboriginal groups and organisations.
North Coast Regional Landcare Network RCoP participants viewing coastal fish traps
“Our event was part of our annual Regional Gathering and we weaved together the theme of Working Together: past, present future throughout the event. It was a opportunity to focus on what work has been done in the past between Landcare groups and Aboriginal communities, what is currently being jointly delivered and what we would like to do in the future.
“It was great to see that there is a common goal by participants across the region to embrace the opportunity to learn how we can better work with Aboriginal communities in our local areas. Additionally, at a regional scale, to learn about people’s connection to their country and take those learnings away and inform how we can work with local Aboriginal groups in our area.
“The North Coast Region follows Landcare NSW’s recognition that Aboriginal communities are the original Landcarers and we are all focused on caring for the land, environment and communities in our region and building a sustainable approach to the future.
“One of our strongest outcomes was the acknowledgement that our work will be strengthened with an application for funding put forward for a Regional Aboriginal Engagement Officer who will help local networks and groups connect with relevant groups, organisations or Traditional Owners.
“Both communities have a great opportunity to engage with one another and share one another’s knowledge and experience for mutual learning. The things that Landcare can offer to Aboriginal communities include capacity building and increasing knowledge of technical skills regarding environmental management. Whereas Aboriginal groups can provide cultural knowledge and locally specific information that helps Landcarers understand how they can better manage their land. This will strengthen all our works in supporting our local environment and communities.
“This is one of the most valuable things about community connection; it is about getting people together to connect and seeing how we can evolve from there,” Josh said.
NSW Landcare Program Community Aboriginal Engagement Officer, Craig Aspinall, said the 2021 theme of ‘Healing Country’ and the wider theme of seeking greater protections for our lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from harm, highlights how Landcare and Aboriginal community organisations have a joint purpose and can grow together to care for country and the communities that live on the land and waters.
“Across the state NSW Landcare groups and community organisations have been working with Aboriginal community organisations with the shared objective to build knowledge and understanding and work for the betterment of our environment. The Working Together Program is just one way Landcare NSW is supporting and connecting with traditional landholders.
“Continuing to grow together through cultural and environmental understanding will ensure that future generations will have the knowledge and understanding of the connection between the health of our environment and our communities and how it is all intertwined,” Craig said.
This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration between the Local Land Services and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by the NSW Government.
The recent NSW Landcare Program Gathering in Dubbo saw 133 Landcarers come together from across NSW to Learn, Share and Connect. Local and Regional Coordinators, Host Organisation representatives, members of the Landcare and Local Land Services Executive, Landcare NSW staff and the NSW Landcare Program Team enjoyed two jam-packed days with a mix of guest speakers, break-out sessions and presentations. Landcarers from Broken Hill to Boorowa and Botany immersed themselves in the gathering.
Uncle Lewis welcomed everyone to Country, with his singing and smoking ceremony before keynote speaker and wool, meat and grain producer Robbie Sefton opened proceedings and set the scene for the gathering with her humorous recollection of life in the late 80s in WA to her role on various boards including the Australia Day Council. Her insight into marketing was riveting. Mary Brell helped the Landcarers to get some insight into the way they think by delivering a workshop on the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument before Merryl Semple delivered a workshop on building resilience – something we could all relate to.
Concurrent sessions allowed participants to select their areas of interest with selections from Partnerships, the Coordinator Activity Tracker, Strategic Planning, social media and Human Resource management. Craig Aspinall the Landcare Program’s Aboriginal Communities Engagement Officer gave a presentation on the achievements of the ‘Working Together’ Program, for many this was one of the highlights according to the event evaluation. This is not to be overshadowed by the wonderful gifts bestowed by Aboriginal Program – Working Together merchandise like hats, water bottles, bags that was handed to participants on arrival.
Regional time was not forgotten as participants were given an opportunity to design the next iteration of the NSW Landcare Program. The take-away message was the importance of finally getting together face-to-face to Learn, Share and Connect and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to just have a yarn and socialise at the two dinner events. The next event is planned for 2023 with the location and venue yet to be decided.
This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration between Landcare NSW and the Local Land Services, supported by the NSW Government.
Australia needs a feasible investment system for frontline rural stewardship, to achieve our desire for sustainable primary production and protection of biodiversity.
Landcare NSW, the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, Gondwana Link, and The Nature Conservancy have worked with the Australian Centre for Agriculture & Law at the University of New England, to explore how Australia should pay for frontline protection or restoration of rural environments.
A significant and timely report focused on addressing the rural stewardship funding gap has been developed that will help guide future pathways for Australia.
Funding Rural Stewardship: The case for meaningful reform
An evidence-based report by the Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law on funding and incentives required for land stewards and volunteers to carry out effective rural environmental conservation and restoration.
CASE STUDY No. 2: Southern New England Landcare: Enabling and Supporting Stewardship for Over 30 Years
Southern New England Landcare Ltd is one of the most successful and long-lived rural landcare networks in Australia. Read about how this community organisation has been enabling and supporting stewardship for over 30 years.
Shane Fitzsimmons, Commissioner of Resilience NSW, will inspire the crowd in Tweed Heads as the keynote speaker for the NSW Landcare & Local Land Services Conference in 2022.
Commissioner Fitzsimmons will draw from his experiences as the former Commissioner of the Rural Fire Service (RFS), guiding NSW through the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season, to delve into a range of thought-provoking topics.
“Our recent experiences – from drought and bushfire, storm and flood, to COVID-19 – have shown us that collaboration is key to improving response, recovery and building resilience into the future,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“This event is an opportunity to reflect, consider lessons learnt, and identify ways we can better work together and with the community to improve outcomes for all into the future.
“After being so actively involved in the bushfire response as the NSW RFS Commissioner, I’m now in the unique and privileged position of working with those same communities through their bushfire recovery as the Commissioner of Resilience NSW.
“As part of this event, I will share my personal experience of the 2019-20 bushfire season, provide an update on the recovery operation and outline my vision for a more aware, more prepared and more resilient NSW.”
Chairperson of Landcare NSW, Stephanie Cameron, welcomed the announcement that Commissioner Fitzsimmons will be the keynote speaker and said it will be a wonderful opportunity to learn from his experiences.
“This past year has shown how resilience and adaptability are critical in not only surviving, but thriving through these challenging times,” Mrs Cameron said.
“During what has been a most challenging time, both as a community and for our environment, reflecting on how we have handled crises in the past will hold Landcarers in great stead for the future.”
Local Land Services Board Acting Chair, Allison Harker, said farmers, Landcarers and community groups also have an opportunity to present at the conference, with expressions of interest now open.
“We are looking for presentations and workshops that showcase resilience, as well as how we can rethink, renew and recharge to create a sustainable future,” Ms Harker said.
“This is a great opportunity for passionate individuals and groups to share their on-the-ground experiences and learnings with the broader Landcare community.”
Conference tickets will go on sale later this year. Interested delegates and exhibitors can find updates at the conference website and by following ‘NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference’ on Facebook.
Over 150 Landcarers from across NSW will descend on Dubbo this week as part of the NSW Landcare Program State Gathering.
Held at the Dubbo RSL, the Gathering runs from Tuesday 8th to Thursday 10th June, and is an opportunity for the network of Regional Landcare Coordinators, Local Landcare Coordinators and community host organisations, to share experiences, learn skills and connect with each other.
The 2019-2023 NSW Landcare Program funded by the NSW Government, is a collaborative initiative of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW empowering Landcarers to take action on local problems and deliver outcomes that address local and regional issues.
Landcare NSW Chair Stephanie Cameron said the event is critical to building common understanding and capacity across the state.
“Landcare’s strength lies in the strength of its grassroots, community movement – it’s about local people doing work on the ground to provide local solutions to local problems,” said Ms Cameron.
“The NSW Landcare Program supports the network of hard-working volunteers in local communities who manage and restore the natural environment, improve the sustainability of agricultural production and build the resilience of communities.”
‘Share. Learn. Connect’ is the theme of the Gathering with a series of speakers and workshops designed to help to develop participants’ skills in many areas including building understanding of community organisations, rural resilience, technology, and partnership opportunities.
NSW Landcare Program Manager Natasha English said the learnings and connections that participantsexperience at the workshop will provide peer support and information sharing opportunities to improve the results achieved in their communities.
“With a keynote address by Robbie Sefton, an inspirational communication specialist and farmer, plus guest trainers that will provide sessions that ‘Build Resilience, Not Burnout’ and ‘Whole Brain Thinking’ there is a lot to stimulate thought.”
This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration between Landcare NSW and the Local Land Services, supported by the NSW Government.
Landcare NSW welcomes grants of approximately $50,000 and $300,000 now available for local bushfire recovery projects in regions impacted by Black Summer bushfires
21st May, 2021
Local Landcare groups, environment networks and community groups working on bushfire recovery projects can now access funding of approximately $50,000 in a landmark new grants program funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
Recently announced by Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley, the $14 million Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program is supporting recovery projects in seven government designated regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia, four of which are in NSW.
NSW Landcare communities in the NSW North Coast and Tablelands, NSW Greater Blue Mountains and World Heritage area, forests of the NSW South Coast, NSW alpine environments are target areas for the funding.
In addition to funding of approximately $50,000, landscape-scale partnerships working together on bushfire recovery projects can also access funding of approximately $300,000.
Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit said the funding will ensure that community-led environmental activities will be delivered in the most vulnerable bushfire-impacted regions.
“Our communities have been ravaged by fire, drought and flood and this funding will benefit habitats and landscapes through landscape restoration, improving biodiversity and supporting community resilience.”
“From revegetation and regeneration projects to invasive species control, data collection and community engagement, the diversity of funding will ensure all bushfire impacted communities have the support they need to rebuild and recover.”
The grants program will be co-delivered by all the relevant peak state Landcare bodies who will work together to support project applicants, and coordinate a wide range of high-impact on-ground community and environmental projects over the next 12 months for community landcare.
Applications for grants will remain open until June 16 with successful applicants notified late June.
This grants program is jointly managed by Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network, delivered in conjunction with Queensland Water and Land Carers, Landcare NSW, Landcare ACT, Landcare Victoria, and the Landcare Association of South Australia to mobilise, build capacity, increase participation and support Landcare and community groups, landowners, land managers and other partners for improved delivery of bushfire recovery actions.
The Program has been supported by the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat
A key component of the NSW Landcare Program is the facilitation of a community of practice, or, ‘gathering’/workshop, for Program Participants (Host Organisations and Coordinators).
This type of forum has been identified as a key milestone for the Program. The opportunity for hosts and coordinators to come together from across the state to share experiences, learn with each other and from each other and to build personal relationships at both the regional and state scales, is seen as critical to building common understanding and capacity for our Landcarers.
Registrations are well over 100 now, with another 50 or so expected comprising of Landcare Coordinators, host organisation members and Regional Landcare Coordinators descending on Dubbo from 8-10 June.
With a key note address by Robbie Sefton, an inspirational communication specialist and farmer, plus guest trainers that will provide sessions that ‘Build Resilience, Not Burnout’ and ‘Whole Brain Thinking’ there is a lot to stimulate thought.
However, this Gathering is not only about learning and receiving information, the Program Team and Landcare NSW staff also want to hear from the Coordinators, hosts and their regions about what works well, the different ways of doing things and what could work better for Landcare into the future.
There are sessions requiring regional thinking and regionally responses, individual self selected optional trainings and plenty of time to confer and network.
Naturally it wouldn’t be Landcare without a few social opportunities and participants are encouraged to attend events at the Devils Hollow Brewery on the first night and the special Conference Dinner on the Wednesday night. If you would like more information, please contact the NSW Landcare Program Team.
Landcare NSW welcomes $14 million for post-Black Summer bushfire recovery grants to support regeneration and community resilience
Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, announced a landmark $14 million dollar funding program for Landcare-led bushfire recovery projects in New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia this week.
Funded by the Australian Government, the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants will support bushfire recovery projects in seven government-designated bushfire regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/2020, four of which are in NSW.
The funding will focus on activities supporting bushfire recovery for fire-affected plant and animal species, ecological communities, and natural assets – including Ramsar listed wetlands and World Heritage listed sites.
Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit welcomed the funding, saying the grants would support the large-scale regeneration efforts required to restore landscapes, improve biodiversity and support community resilience.
“The devastation to our environment does not stop at state borders. Collaborative funding is crucial for our communities and native landscapes to recover after the catastrophic Black Summer Bushfires. In NSW alone, the fires burnt 6.2 percent of the state and more than one billion animals were estimated to have been killed or displaced in the fires.
“No matter where we are based, from the rainforests of northern NSW and South-East Queensland to the alpine regions of ACT, NSW and Victoria with the support of this funding we can begin to rebuild,” Dr Zammit said.
Eligible Landcare groups, environment networks, and community groups will have access to grant funding up to $50,000, and as larger partnerships and projects up to $300,000.
The $14 million bushfire grants program will be delivered by a ground-breaking alliance between the National Landcare Network and Landcare Australia, and the state Landcare peak bodies. The Program will be co-delivered, and will coordinate a wide range of high-impact on-ground community and environmental projects over the next 12 months for community landcare.
Call for submission of grant applications will be announced in May.
On 30 & 31 March 2021, the Upper Snowy Landcare Network provided a very special opportunity to the local Landcare and school community to walk on the traditional training grounds of Gegedzerick, near Berridale.
Supported by funds from the NSW Landcare Program’s “Working Together” Aboriginal Engagement Program and South East Local Land Services, the event was designed to train local people to recognise Aboriginal objects, artefacts, landscape features and perspectives on land management and traditional Aboriginal culture.
Aboriginal cultural heritage experts Uncle Glen Morris, Graham Moore and local Aboriginal Elder Uncle Snappy were on hand to share their knowledge, provide samples and inject their sharp sense of humour and life experience into a very successful two-day event.
Starting at the local CWA Hall each day, participants were given an insight into the types of Aboriginal objects that can be found in the local landscape, including samples of tools and artefacts for everyone to see and touch. The group then travelled a short distance to the Gegedzerick Travelling Stock Reserve, which is being managed by the Upper Snowy Landcare Network, to utilise their new-found identification skills and knowledge to conduct a “walkover” inspection of the site to identify any potential Aboriginal artefacts.
Uncle Glen Morris speaking to local Landcarers, Day 1.
Under the legislation relating to Aboriginal cultural objects, any artefacts found must be registered and recorded on the NSW Government’s database of Aboriginal objects. A key part of the training during the event involved how to fill in a ‘site-card’ to record the exact location and landscape features surrounding the site and then uploading these to the database.
It is very culturally important that Aboriginal artefacts stay in the location they are found, are protected from disturbance from either farming, conservation, development or other impacts such as soil erosion. Upper Snowy Landcare Network will use the information gathered during this very successful event to further inform future management of the Travelling Stock Reserve.
